Counter tops and flooring - what do you have

[Legs]

I am leaning heavily on going with tile for my counter tops. We are going to renovate my kitchen and I would LOVE granite, but can't afford that - so my alternative would be ceramic tile.
Anyone have this? Pros and cons to this and to the flooring also. I have a fairly large kitchen to work with so thinking of the bigger tiles on the floors.

PROGRESS REPORT POST #52

 

[willkatdawson]

We did both tile and granite. I wanted the old world look of tile, and I was getting a little tired of all the cookie cutter kitchens with granite every where, so I used it on all surfaces except the island and the stove/oven back splash. On the island and back splash I went with granite because I cook and bake a lot and the tile can be a good bit of up keep.
The flooring on the main floor of our home is rosewood.
I think the large tile flooring would be beautiful in your new kitchen. The bigger the better. There are so many different materials being used today on counter tops, recycled glass, stained concrete ect.. you have some great options for the counter tops many of which you can do as a do it yourself project. Good luck. Post pictures when you're done!

 

[easttxchick]

I have granite, but if I had it to do over, I'd have the concrete or stainless steel countertops.
I have the 20 inch tile throughout my house and I LOVE it! I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Congrats on your renevation!

 

[ChikeeMomma]

I have quartz countertops (Silestone is the name brand of mine, Zodiac is another brand). I do love them. I looked into granite and read that it was porous and can stain depending on color and needs to be maintained. My aunt paid big money for granite just to have it chip on her where the kitchen stool hit. The quartz counterops are nonporous, you can set a hot pot on them without a hot pad, they seem indestructible (although I haven't tried to chip them), and there is no maintenance -- just wipe them off with a wet dishcloth, and they come with microban. I love them and highly recommend them! I have had laminate and Corian. The quartz is my favorite! It was cheaper than the cheapest granite or even some of the Corian colors. It can get as expensive as granite if you decide on a expensive color and edging. I went through Home Depot for mine. They had it the cheapest. A local counter/cabinet contractor installed it. He said he can't even get it as cheap as I did.

My kitchen floors are ceramic tile. I wish I would have went with a darker grout color because it is hard to keep clean. I feel like I'm always scrubbing the grout.

 

[dntd]

My kitchen sucks! we had to redo our kitchen due to a house fire, lost our hard wood antique cuboards and tile counters. Now we have cheap white cubards and a normal counter top , going to wait until the kids are older to get a nice kitchen put in.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Wood wood wood everywhere, with a big cast enameled farm sink

We were lucky enough to get a bunch of 4 inch thick pine live-edge slabs when our neighbors cleared for a new barn.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I have Corian for counter tops and oak for the floor. I have floor tile in the entryways and in front of the fireplace. My old house had tile counter tops. I still like the look of tile, but I really don't love the hassle of grout. I also like the warmth and softness of the wood underfoot, compared to tile, as I like to go barefoot. A harder surface is harder on your body when you stand on it for longer periods of time. I also like a smooth, easy clean counter top, as this is a hard used kitchen, rather than a show kitchen. Not that it isn't still attractive. I love the utility of the Corian.

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

The new granite available at Lowes is completely stain resistant and TRUST me I've tested that thoroughly! It was the same price as laminate. If you go tile make sure you have extras to repair chipped or cracked tiles later. One dropped pyrex dish can do you in. As for floors? Laminate is what I have, if I did it over? Hardwood or tile. The laminate is an Armostrong 30yr with their supposed "state of the art interlocking system" and it's AWEFUL. Professionally installed and the edges still chip, infact I'll be bringing pics into Lowes on Monday to try to get it replaced.

 

[DelcoChix]

I totally agree with ChickeeMomma--when we redid our kitchen we had the same type of quartz/resin countertops installed (brand name "Avanza" through Lowe's). DId a lot of research, did not want the maintenance necessary with real stone but wnated the upgrade from laminate, which is what we had--it stained and chipped. The cost was right in the middle, that have various cost levels, depending on the color you choose and the style for the edging, and the thickness. We went with one that is built up thicker along the edge but is a little less so the further from the front edge you are--since it's supported by the cabinets I wasn't worried, just wanted it to hide the top lip of the cabinets and for appearances. After six years, not one regret...great stuff and holds up incredibly well.
Downside-we have a beautiful mix of cream and browns with a few black specs...but it's hard to tell where you miss washing it off,,, very well camoflaged, and it's been a terrible challenge for me to decide on the tile backsplash I want to try to finish this project...don't want the backsplash too "busy" lookiing, but really want tile.
Tile floors are wonderful--put them down in the kitchen, along with laminate for most of our downstairs, with tile in bath and mudrooms...we live in Ohio, so it is cold here, but we also wear slippers and socks so that hasn't been an issue. Good luck with your decision!
Dawn

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I have concrete countertops. I didn't want granite. I liked the simplicity and mass of concrete. They are the color of dark beach sand. I made them myself after I took the workshop through Cheng Concrete in Berkeley, CA. I love the look. I love that I can put down hot pots and don't worry. The caveat -- they will stain if you don't keep them sealed and waxed. Still, I could not have afforded the look if I hadn't done them myself. I did a slate backsplash in earth tones.